Dead Trooper's Family Sues Ford for $250M

Published 7:00 pm, Thursday, February 13, 2003

The family of a state trooper who was killed when his Crown Victoria cruiser was hit from behind and burst into flames sued the Ford Motor Co. on Friday for more than $250 million.

The lawsuit alleges negligence in the manufacture of the nation's most popular police car. Some departments have complained that the model is prone to fires when hit from behind at high speed. Trooper Robert Ambrose, 31, was the 13th officer to die in such fires since 1983.

Ambrose was killed Dec. 19 as he sat in his car on a highway shoulder near Yonkers, writing up a report. A Nissan and a Jeep collided behind him and the Jeep veered into Ambrose's car, igniting a fire. The Jeep's driver, 20-year-old Jason Boney, was killed.

Ambrose's family also is suing Boney's mother, the driver of the Nissan, and the leasing companies that owned those cars. They also announced plans to sue the state and the state's Thruway Authority, which owned the trooper's car.

Ford spokeswoman Kristen Kinley said the Crown Victoria is a safe car.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in October that the car exceeds federal standards for fuel system safety. Ford, however, agreed to pay to install shields around the gas tanks on the police cars. Ambrose's car hadn't been retrofitted.

Ford is facing other similar lawsuits, including one by the National Association of Police Organizations, which represents police unions around the country. In its lawsuit, the association cites Ambrose's death among others.